Michikatsu Tsugikuni in the Taisho Era

Chapter 12: The Ambush

Michikatsu hopped in the warm water and started to relax. Actually.. it is the best place for thinking. Michikatsu was still lost in thought starting to miss his old home. "It been months.. and I'm still here.. how can I go back.?" After awhile Michikatsu finished and grabbed his towels. Ready to go back to dry himself and put on his clothes back again.  

It was night time. "I should check on him now." Michikatsu went to visit the swordsmith and seen him laying down as if resting. "Hello?" The swordsmith quickly got up. "Apologies.. I just got tired heh.. about the sword! yes I finished. Here. I examined the ore they used to forge it for awhile and what a great discovery! Most of us always wanted to see a red blade but a purple blade is entirely new. I guess it a blessing for me to witness another new rare color." The swordsmith put the sword in the sheath and gave it to Michikatsu.

Michikatsu pulled the sword out of the sheath to examine it. "It perfect.. thank you sir." Michikatsu bow down saying goodbye and left. Michikatsu decided to go stay another night before he leaves the village tomorrow. When he entered he found Tanjiro and Muichiro. His eyes widened. "Tanjiro.. you woke up..?" 

Tanjiro noticed Michikatsu and smiled "Mister Tsugikuni! long time no see! sorry I didn't come to greet you.. I really needed a new sword heh.." Michikatsu sat next to Tanjiro and Muichiro.. he also noticed the demon girl. "I don't think I introduced you to my sister before. This is Nezuko, don't worry shes a good demon!" 

"No need.. I saw her curing the sound hashira's poison months ago after the upper moon battle. It seems her blood demon art heals humans." 

Michikatsu and Muichiro both crossed their arms at the same time. Tanjiro got suprised that he even realized they look alike. "Ah.. Muichiro looks a lot like you Michikatsu" Michikatsu looked at Muichiro.. he knows that he is his ancestor but he knows he can't keep the secret any longer too. Nezuko quickly jumped towards to Michikatsu giving him a hug. "I guess she likes you. haha." 

"Ah yes! Muichiro if you want I can come with you and find mister Kanamori!" Muichiro tilted his head staring at Tanjiro. "Why do you want to help me? it has nothing to do with you." 

"huh? well. helping others is like helping yourself.. it a good think you know?"

suddenly Muichiro's eyes sparkled. "Huh.. repeat that.. say it again.. what was that you said? say it!". Michikatsu was suprised.. he too had the cold side just like Muichiro but hearing Tanjiro's words made him realize. Not to mention he noticed that Muichiro is acting like his age now.. how can a fourteen year old boy obtain a position at such a young age?

"Huh I heard something." Tanjiro looked at the door. Muichiro also turned around hearing noises too. Michikatsu looked at the door too and realized something was not right. He grabbed his sword and  unsheath it.

Suddenly. A door opened.. revealing a trembling demon who looks like they are in.. constant fear.? Tanjiro's eyes widened.. "There is no doubt that an Upper Moon! I could not smell him until I saw him!" Muichiro decided to do the action and grabbed his sword. "Mist breathing." Muichiro quickly dashed to behead the demon but missed. "Please stop tormenting me! I'm begging you!' The demon was crying. "Hinokami kagura." Tanjiro hit the demon but could not behead him. It only made him fall from the ceiling. Then Nezuko.. went on her full demon form to kick Hantengu. "Nezuko! don't use your full form! you're energy..!"

Muichiro quickly beheaded the demon. Michikatsu was impressed. "You deserve some praises.. as expected coming from my descendant.." thought Michikatsu. "Muichiro! focus! it an Upper Moon!" The head rolled then all of a sudden.. The head regenerated a whole body.. while the body regenerated a head. forming a completely different demons. 

Muichiro went after a demon who had a huge fan of leaf. The demon just moved their fan and all of a sudden. It sent Muichiro flying. Michikatsu was behind Muichiro attempting to behead the demon too but he too got sent flying away. "Muichiro! Michikatsu!" Tanjiro screamed for their names while they got blasted miles away.

Michikatsu is a really skilled hashira. He managed to land on the ground on his feet while Muichiro performed a technique so he safely lands. "Muichiro.. I must get to the swordsmiths and protect them. You go find Tanjiro and the others!" Muichiro nodded and continued his way. running at full speed Michikatsu rushed to the village.

"Help!" Michikatsu quickly ran towards the scream and saw a huge monstrous fish who was holding the swordsmith. It was going to eat him. Michikatsu quickly slashes it hands and face. It started to scream in agony. The swordsmith was relieved that he was saved and got close to Michikatsu for protection. The huge monstrous fish demon regenerated a face. "Damn it.." Michikatsu looked up and saw a strange pot on top of the monster and thought that could be it weak point. He quickly jumped and slashed it in half. The monster started falling down screaming and began to disintegrate. 

"Thank you! I really thought I was a goner!" The swordsmith started to cry in relief. A bell was heard. "Demon attack! demon attack! protect the village!" 

"Yes! these things are everywhere..! we should help the others! you don't have to worry about me go!" the swordsmith went to hide while Michikatsu sprinted at full speed to reach the village. There was too many of them.. there is no end for them.. some swordsmith have gotten injured already. Some of them.. got devoured..

There was too many of them for Michikatsu to handle. "God when will this end?"

"Apologies for the delay!" a voice was heard from afar and it was.. Mitsuri! she performed a powerful slash attacks on the monstrous fishes which it easily sliced them like tofu. She saved the swordsmith who was about getting eaten. "Please! the chief! you must help him! monsters made it and invaded his place!" 

Michikatsu looked at Mitsuri "Go. You save the chief and I'll continue to take care of these things." Mitsuri nodded and quickly climbed up.

"I really hope Tanjiro and Muichiro are doing alright.. this is bad." - Michikatsu